Have You Ever Seen Someone With Two Different Colored Eyes?

Today is National Different Colored Eyes Day. I do not remember ever being around anyone with two different colored eyes. I am sure if I did, I would notice it right away.

Having two different colored eyes is a condition called Heterochromia. There are three types of Heterochromia. One type is called a complete heterochromia where one iris is a different color from the other. A sectoral heterochromia is where part of one iris is a different color from the rest of the iris and a central heterochromia is where an inner-ring is a different color than the rest of the iris.

So what causes a person to have two different colored eyes? The distribution of melanin determines the eye color, specifically the color of the irises.

Most cases of heterochromia are hereditary, caused by a disease or syndrome or due to an injury.  It is possible that just one eye may change color following certain diseases or injuries.

A few celebrities are known to have or have had two different colored eyes including David Bowie, Dan Aykroyd and Jane Seymour. One of the more prominent sports figures with the condition is Washington Nationals All-Star pitcher Max Scherzer. Batting against him would be difficult for me in that I would find myself staring at his blue and brown eyes and let a third strike go by.  Maybe that's why he is so good!